DC Studios has witnessed a lot of turbulence in 2023 with several disastrous releases starting with Shazam! Fury of the Gods followed by The Flash and Blue Beetle which resulted in utter disappointment. While Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom was the last hope for Warner Brothers to be the last standing hero at the box office, it followed the previous disappointments from the studio. Ironically, Aquaman sank.
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2. Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery
Perhaps, Warner Brothers are keeping things light treading carefully to save the sinking ship as there are no mainline slates from DC but one outskirt movie from the studio is all set to make all the difference. When Todd Phillips helmed the director’s chair for DC’s Joker in 2019 with Joaquin Phoenix, it was a huge hit as the movie went on to gross over $1 billion at the box office. Now, Phillips is back with a sequel and this is going to be a huge hit for 3 major reasons.
3 . The Astounding Box Office Marvel Of Joker
Joaquin Phoenix as Joker. Image Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery
When Joaquin Phoenix landed the role of Arthur Fleck who evolved into Joker, it created much-needed buzz. Joker received further hype with the early release reviews and eventually, the movie started to smash several box office records. Tod Phillips’ decision to create a standalone Joker world worked and it was a cash cow for DC. With a concise budget of around $55–70 million, Joker went on to gross $1.079 billion worldwide. It was the sixth-highest-grossing movie of 2019 while holding the record of the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. With Joker: Folie à Deux, Warner Brothers may hit a big score again at the box office front as the movie has already created an unending splash.
2 . Come On, It’s Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2. Image Credit: toddphillips/Instagram
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most capable actors of recent times with four Oscar nominations under his belt winning one for his staggering performance in Joker. Certainly, it was one of the best performances he put on screen for the world to witness. Phoenix for Joker was perfect after Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance for the character in a different light. Beyond Oscars, Phoenix won a Golden Globe and several other accolades. The actor reprising the role is the next best thing of 2024. He knows his character, and he lives with it, consuming and inhaling every aspect of the DC villain with immaculate dedication. Fans can be certain that the actor doing justice to the iconic character again.
1. Lady Gaga As Harley Quinn
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2. Image Credit: toddphillips/Instagram
Barbie star Margot Robbie has played a wonderful iteration of Harley Quinn appearing in three live-action DC movies in the DC Extended Universe. Sure, Robbie is fitting for the character and she looks awesome in it. In fact, she had a standalone movie, Birds of Prey. Now, it would be astonishing to finally have a glimpse of what Phillips is cooking with Phoenix and Gaga. Apart from being a successful singer, Gaga’s prowess is well-reflected in her cinematic performances in A Star is Born and in House of Gucci. Gaga will play Dr. Harleen Quinzel a.k.a. Harley Quinn assigned to treat Arthur but developed an obsession towards him starting with her curiosity. Eventually, a deadly romantic relationship is born which will follow the narrative.
Beyond these three aspects, it is worth noting that the movie will be a musical. With the success of his previous movie Joker, Phillips has all the room for experiments with thematic essence and style. Joker: Folie à Deux is almost a certain hit as the buzz around the movie has been positive. The Joker sequel could be the savior of the sinking ship of WB’s DC. Also, with the one live-action theatrical release, DC would have room for the beginning of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU.
Joker: Folie à Deux is scheduled for 4 October 2024 release.
